GUSTINE – Staff at Our Lady of Miracles Catholic School expected to welcome more than 190 students when the new school year started yesterday (Wednesday).

The projected enrollment is down about two dozen students from the close of last year. Principal Mary Salvador attributed the lower student numbers to the housing decline in the area and the departure of a large graduating class last year.

“But our numbers can change at any time as registrations continue to arrive even through the first few weeks of school,” she noted. “We are looking forward to a great year.”

Last year OLM School went through an intense and extensive accreditation process.

“I am proud to announce we were granted a full six-year term of accreditation by WCEA and WASC,” she pointed out. That is the longest accreditation period which can be granted.

OLM School is in compliance with the state standard guidelines as well, she added.

Academics intact, the biggest changes to the school this year were in staff and improvements to the facility.

A new first-grade teacher, third-grade teacher, computer teacher and librarian have joined the OLM staff this year as well as two new classroom assistants.

In addition to staff changes, the facility received a thorough all around cleaning and some rooms were upgraded or improved over the course of the summer.

Carpeting was installed in the sixth- and seventh-grade classrooms and one wing of the school was painted.

The biggest improvement, though, was to the school library, where new carpet and paint spruced up the facility and a supervised Internet access area for student research was established.

“Our new librarian, Tiffany Vitorino, has worked very hard to prepare the library as a viable resource for our students,” Salvador reported.

Although school has started, registration is still being accepted in all grade levels.

“Not only do we provide strong academics but we are a Christ-centered school where morals and values are taught on a daily basis,” Salvador noted.

OLM School offers extra-curricular activities, sports, a music program, choir and band. Students compete in local, county and diocesan events such as academic decathlon, math quiz and spelling bees, speech contests, a science fair and the writing festival.

OLM has three pre-school programs available for 3- and 4-year-old students offering morning, afternoon or full-day schedules from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kindergarten through eighth grade students attend class from 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. on a regular day schedule. The first week of school, Aug. 20-22, students are released at noon on a minimum day schedule.

Extended daycare is available for K-8 students before school beginning at 6:30 a.m. and after school until 6 p.m. The structured program is open to OLM students who must sign up before attending.

Call or come into the school office for questions or more information about OLM or registration. 370 Linden Ave., Gustine; 854-3180; www.ourladyofmiraclescatholicschool.com

Non-Catholic families are welcome, Salvador noted.